This $10,000 project partnered two NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals with two municipalities – Ayer and Stoneham – to implement highly visible and publicly accessible organic lawn demonstration projects, to show that organic management techniques offer the same cultural benefits such as beauty, functionality and cost effectiveness, as synthetic chemical methods, but at a much lower environmental and health cost. The project’s long-term goal is to reduce pesticide use and exposure in Massachusetts by increasing the acreage managed organically. Town of Ayer Parks Supervisor Jeff Thomas worked with NOFA AOLCP John Coppinger on the lawns at Sandy Pond; Town of Stoneham Groundskeeper Rick Arzillo and DPW Deputy Manager Larry Brophy worked with NOFA AOLCP Michael Murray on the center circle of the Town Common.

The project received great press for their events. Click here for the coverage in the Stoneham Independent, and here for coverage in the Green Ayer News.

If you are interested in conducting a similar project in your community, please download the project tool kit from the sidebar to the right. The packet includes information from their application and execution of the project.